NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ1143365
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2168-6653
EISSN: N/A
Working with Business: Counselor Expectations, Actions, and Challenges
McDonnall, Michele C.
Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, v31 n2 p135-145 2017
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to (a) explore state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency expectations for counselor engagement with business, (b) determine what VR counselors are actually doing in terms of interacting with businesses, and (c) identify challenges VR counselors experience to working with business. Method: A mixed-methods approach, including both quantitative data from surveys and qualitative data from interviews, was used. Surveys were conducted with 47 VR agency administrators and 121 counselors, and interviews were conducted with 6 administrators and 19 counselors. Results: Almost all VR agencies had a clear expectation that counselors will engage with business, but the specific expectations varied by agency. Counselors spend approximately 20% of their time interacting with businesses, and most counselors reported providing one or more service to businesses on a regular basis. Challenges experienced by counselors were lack of time, lack of comfort, and lack of preparation to engage with business. Conclusion: Given the current expectations for business engagement and the increased importance of business engagement with the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (2015), it is vital that rehabilitation counseling master's programs increase their focus on working with business.
Springer Publishing Company. 11 West 42nd Street 15th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Tel: 877-687-7476; Tel: 212-431-4370; Fax: 212-941-7842; e-mail: subscriptions@springerpub.com; Web site: http://www.springerpub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A